By Ayasha Thurman | Features Editor
For some, writing is a nothing but a hobby. For senior Allison Aho, however, writing is a way for her to truly express herself. Aho began writing poetry at age 11, a year after her father’s fatal heart attack.

She sees writing as her way of exploring her feelings about the world around her and thinking of new ideas without having to say them out loud.

“I think after my dad dying, poetry gave me a way to express my feelings and share things I didn’t really

want to tell anybody,” Aho said.

Sophomore Logan Smith, one of Aho’s closest friends, said she has only known her for a year but claims she has a mother-like personality and her maturity brings her writing to life. She compares reading Aho’s poetry to reading her diary because it is so personal.

“She puts a lot of work and thought into it [writing poetry],” Smith said. “It seems like by reading it you can see into her mind, almost like reading her thoughts.”

Aho said a lot of her poetry is based upon emotions and memories. One poem that really stands out to her as one of her favorites is titled “Daddy’s Little Girl,” which she wrote about her relationship with her father. Aho performs these original pieces in poetry slams at MHS and loves having the opportunity to perform her own work.

“Performing makes me feel like my words have more meaning because other people get to hear them,” Aho said. “It makes me happy too, knowing what I said could mean something to someone.”

She has performed in seven of the eight poetry slams that have happened during her four years in high school. She tied for fifth place in last year’s slam. Junior Cody Glenn, who has also performed in those poetry slams, has seen Aho firsthand in front of a crowd. They first met at a football game and became friends after Glenn’s first slam experience his freshman year. He instantly felt a connection with her poetry.

“I describe her poetry as realistic, dramatic, and it strikes at real life problems that any one person can have,” Glenn said.

Glenn was also on the Forensics team with Aho for about a year. Forensics gives students the opportunity to perform creative skits. Aho enjoys it because she is able to incorporate her love for writing and performing into one activity. She performs memorized speeches which are interpretations of published work. Glenn believes Forensics is a great activity for Aho because she has the opportunity to challenge herself.

“Allison loves to problem solve,” Glenn said. “She loves the intellectual challenge.”

Forensics coach Kayla Crook has seen how willing Aho is to teach the younger students as a co-captain this year with junior Nathan Fox. Forensics is a passion for Aho, who was instantly drawn to it her eighth grade year at Sunset Middle School when the Forensics team came to perform for the students.

“Forensics means a lot to me. I find that it’s a great form of self-expression, and it’s very fun to be involved with,” Aho said.

Aho also loves Forensics for the opportunity it gives her to help others. Smith sees Aho as a very loving and helpful person because she is always willing to help anyone in need and knows how to have a good time.

“She has always been there for me and anyone she knows. She is especially there when the going gets tough,” Smith said. “She is the shoulder I can cry on or someone I could party with.”

Aho continues to hone her writing and performance skills while preparing for her Forensics competitions and her final MHS poetry slam this spring. Expressing herself through poetry has not only helped her grow, but has inspired those around her. Now Aho wants to pursue teaching special education. She plans to attend Southwestern Oregon Community College for two years before transferring to Southern Oregon University in Ashland.

“I know first-hand what it is like to care for a special needs child because my cousin has a learning disability,” Aho said. “So I want to go to college to teach special education students how to write and speak better.”